Non-Contact Strain Measurement System And Method For Using The Same

ABSTRACT

A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser.No. 62/463,934 filed on Feb. 27, 2017 which is incorporated by referenceherein.

This application relates to a non-contact strain measurement system anda method for using the same. More particularly, the invention relates toa non-contact strain measurement system and a method for using the samefor use with structural objects, such as structural piles, columns andother load bearing structural components or objects under static and/orvariable loads.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,749 to Likins et al. discloses a pile installationrecording system and is hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication in its entirety for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No.6,301,551 to Piscsalko et al. discloses a remote pile driving analyzerand is hereby incorporated by reference into this application in itsentirety for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,502 to McVay et al.discloses a wireless apparatus and method for analysis of piles and ishereby incorporated by reference into this application in its entiretyfor showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,823 to Berris discloses astrain and displacement sensor and system and method for using the sameand is hereby incorporated by reference into this application in itsentirety for showing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Strain sensors are employed for measuring the shear strain on astructure. Conventional strain sensors use a flexible backing thatsupports a metallic foil pattern and are mounted directly to a structureto be tested. When the structure is deformed due to shear strain, themetallic foil is deformed, which alters the electrical resistance of thefoil. By measuring the electrical resistance across the terminals of thefoil, the strain of the structure may be measured. However, the metallicfoil may become permanently deformed or detached from the backing overtime.

Vibrating wire gauges have also been be used to detect strain. Avibrating wire sensor measures force using a wire that vibrates at ahigh frequency. The applied external force changes the tension on thewire and this changes the frequency. The frequency is measured andindicates the amount of force on the sensor. The load sensor can have anintegrated electronic system to both activate the vibrating wire as wellas to read the frequency. The strain is calculated by measuring theresonant frequency of the wire wherein an increase in tension increasesthe resonant frequency. However, these gauges must be connected directlyto the structure to be measured or embedded in the structure to bemeasured wherein they can be damaged during installation and can bedifficult to utilize after the pile and/or structural object is inoperation.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,823 to Berris overcomes many of the problems in theprior art by utilizing a capacitively-coupled strain sensor, whichincludes a first board and a second board, both with conductive pads. Aninsulating layer is included between the boards to create a capacitivenetwork between the conductive pads on the boards. In Berris, providedis a capacitive network created by the boards and the insulating layerthat creates a capacitive full bridge. In certain embodiments, the firstboard includes an oscillatory signal driver that produces an oscillatorysignal, which is fed to conductive coupling pads on the first board. Theoscillatory signal passes to the second board via the couplingcapacitors of the capacitive network and returns to the first board viathe signal capacitors of the capacitive network. The resulting signal isindicative of the amount of strain on the structure and/or thedisplacement of one board relative to the other board. The sensor canthus be used to perform a strain sensing function and/or a displacementcalculation without a conductor linking the two boards. However, whileBerris has been found to be an effective strain gauge, it still requiresdirect contact with the object to be measured. In this respect, whileprior art sensors are effective, they require the sensors to be eitherembedded into the structural object or attached to the structuralobject. Sensors that are embedded into the structural object areexpensive since the sensor can only be used once since it remains in thestructural object. While sensors that are attached to the structuralobject can be re-used, it is time consuming to properly attach, remove,unattach, and reattach each sensor from the structural object.Frequently, adhesives cannot be used since adhesives take too long toset, are impractical to apply in adverse weather conditions such as inrain or extreme cold conditions, and they are not strong enough for theshear stresses associated with strain measurements in a dynamicenvironment. More importantly, using adhesives to attach the strainsensors has been found to be less accurate. Therefore, the sensors mustbe bolted to the structural object, which is time consuming andpotentially damaging to the structure. Yet further, having to bolt asensor to the structural object means that only one location of thestructure is tested unless multiple sensors are mounted to thestructural object or the sensors are repeatedly removed and moved todifferent locations, which is especially difficult and time consumingfor the testing of driven piles. Moreover, the locations in which thesensors must be attached can be difficult to access. Thus, there is acontinuing need for a strain sensor and/or strain sensor system thateliminates the current requirement to make a mechanical connectionbetween the sensor and the object to be tested.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a non-contact strain and/ordisplacement sensor apparatus and system that may be employed tofacilitate sensing of a wide range of factors including the shear strainon a structural object.

More particularly, provided is a non-contact strain and/or displacementsensor system that utilizes optics to detect and/or measure strain in astructural object, such as a pile, wherein a traditional strain gauge orsensor does not have to be mechanically coupled to the structuralobject.

According to certain aspects of the invention, provided is a strainand/or displacement sensor system that utilizes an image receivingdevice, such as a high-speed camera, or other device for recordingvisual images, in combination with images that are marked onto theobject to be measured. Analysis of the captured images from thehigh-speed image receiving device can be used to detect movement,compression, extension, rotation and other data of the image elements ofthe image marked on the object being analyzed.

According to other aspects, the measurements using the invention of thisapplication are a dynamic test of the movement of the object along witha static test. In this respect, the strain and/or displacement sensorapparatus that utilizes a high-speed camera or other device forrecording visual images in combination with images that are marked ontothe object can measure displacement to detect velocity and/or straindynamically.

According to yet other aspects of the invention, the system can includemultiple high-speed image receiving devices and/or multiple sets ofmarked images on the object to be measured. This can be utilized toensure that the marked images line up with the optics of the deviceand/or to take multiple reading about the object to be measured and/orsimultaneously along the length of the object to be measured.

According to yet further aspects of the invention, multiple opticsand/or multiple image sets could be used; including a plurality of imagesets including four or more sets.

According to even yet further aspects of the invention, the device forrecording visual images can be secured to a support arrangement thatallowed the visual device to rotate about a mount or optics axis toallow the visual device to track with the object to be measured.

According to even yet further aspects of the invention, the device forrecording visual images can be configured to detect a wide range ofimages and/or reflections related to the marked images including, butnot limited to, detecting a focused beam of light that is reflected offof a surface of the objected to be measured and/or a surface materialfixed relative to the object to be tested.

These and other objects, aspects, features, embodiments and advantagesof the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon areading of the Detailed Description of Embodiments set forth below takentogether with the drawings which will be described in the next section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail andillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof andwherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a structural object, such as a pilestructure, showing certain aspects of the non-contact strain sensorsystem according to certain aspects of the invention of thisapplication;

FIG. 2A is an elevational view of a structural object, such as a pilestructure, showing certain aspects of another embodiments of thenon-contact strain sensor system according to certain other aspects ofthe invention of this application;

FIG. 2B is an elevational view of the structural object shown in FIG. 2Ashowing a similar embodiment as is shown in 2A that includes two opticaldevices;

FIG. 3A shows a non-contact strain sensor system according to certainaspects of the invention of this application wherein the structuralobject is in a first position;

FIG. 3B shows a non-contact strain sensor system of FIG. 3A wherein thestructural object is in a second position;

FIG. 3C shows a non-contact strain sensor system of FIG. 3A wherein thestructural object is in a third position;

FIG. 3D shows a non-contact strain sensor system having a linear motionsupport;

FIG. 3E shows a non-contact strain sensor system utilizing a UAVarrangement;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a structural object, such as a pilestructure, showing yet other aspects of the invention wherein thenon-contact strain sensor system includes multiple optical devices ontwo sides of the structural object;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a structural object, such as a pilestructure, showing certain other aspects of the invention wherein thenon-contact strain sensor system includes multiple optical devices onone side of the structural object;

FIGS. 6A-6F show several different types of marked images;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of a marked image 14 a shown inFIG. 1 before a structural object is hit by a hammer blow;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevational view of the marked image 14 b duringthe load application;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view of yet another marked image 14 cafter the load application;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of a marked image 14 d shown inFIG. 1 before a structural object is loaded;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of the marked image 14 e on afirst side of the structural object during the load application; and,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevational view of the marked image 14 f on asecond side of the structural object during the load application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating preferred and alternative embodiments of the inventiononly and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows certainembodiments of a non-contact strain and/or displacement sensor system 10for use in connection with sensing the strain on an associated pile,structure component or structural object and/or the displacement of thestructural object. In this respect, the disclosed non-contact strainsensor system can be used for a wide range of applications that monitorrelative movement of at least one point on the structural object beingtested. In this respect, monitoring one point can be used to showdynamic behavior of the vibration from an impact, such as a hammer blow.According to other embodiments, the disclosed non-contact strain sensorsystem can monitor relative movement of two or more points to alsodetermine strain along with displacement. As will be discussed morebelow, the word “point” is not to be limited to geometric element thathas zero dimensions but relates to a location along the structuralobject. Moreover, monitoring and detecting can be accomplished withoutrequiring the securing of any equipment and/or sensors relative to thetested object. In addition, the sensor system of this application canmeasure both static and/or dynamic strain, which will also be discussedin greater detail below. Yet further, the system of this application canbe easily adapted to be used with any other equipment or systems usedduring the installation and/or testing of the structural object afterinstallation. Yet even further, the system and the components of thesystem can be reusable.

With special reference to FIG. 1, shown is a structural object SO, suchas a pile, extending above a ground layer G. Structural object SO can bea wide range of structural objects including, but not limited to, acolumn, a girder, a driven pile, a pressed in pile, and/or a poured inplace pile, or the like, without detracting from the invention of thisapplication wherein this application is not to be limited to aparticular structural object. For the systems of this application, itcan be utilized during the driving process to help monitor the drivingprocess as the structural object is driven into ground layer G or couldbe used during a testing phase after the structural object has beendriven, poured and/or otherwise installed. Moreover, the invention ofthis application is not to be limited to testing in-ground structuralobjects. Thus, while the invention is shown with respect to one type ofstructural object in the interest of brevity, it is not to be limited tothe structural object shown in the drawings. For any structural object,including poured in place piles and pressed in piles, the system of thisapplication can be utilized during the testing phase when it isdetermined if the pile or structural object meets the requirements forthe job. As can be appreciated, by not having any mechanical structuresthat must be attached relative to the structural object itself, thereare no sensitive mechanical structures subjected to the harshenvironment near the hammering of a pile or structural object into theground and/or impacting the structural object for testing. Accordingly,the invention of this application has a further advantage of asubstantially reduced likelihood of damage during use. Furthermore, forstructural objects, such as poured structural objects, wherein testingis only desired after installation, eliminating the requirement tosecure a mechanical structure to the object being tested can save timeand money. As a result, the invention of this application has theadvantage over prior art devices in that there is no cost associatedwith mechanically coupling a strain and/or displacement sensor directlyto the structural object, no cost associated with mechanicallyde-coupling the sensor from the structural object, less cost associatedwith damaged sensors and/or there is no cost associated with the loss ofthe sensor for the sensors that are cast or otherwise permanently joinedrelative to the structural object. The invention is indefinitelyreusable and less likely to be damage wherein the invention is very costefficient and reliable.

In greater detail, non-contact sensor system 10 includes an opticaldevice 12 and an image arrangement(s) 14. Optical device 12 includes animage receiving device 16, which can be any device for receiving and/orrecording a visual image (of any type) including, but not limited to, ahigh-speed camera, an optical sensor, a visual sensor, a CCD(charge-coupled device) and/or a CMOS (complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor) image sensors, a line camera, an area scan camera (fixed(synchronous) or variable (asynchronous)) or the like. In one set ofembodiments, optical device 12 can further include a light emittingdevice 18 that can enhance or replace natural light (see FIG. 1) and/orcreate a detection light for device 16 (see FIG. 2), which will bediscussed more below. Light emitting device 18 can be any light emittingdevice that, for example, enhances existing light (FIG. 1), preventsshadows and/or produces a detectable light (FIG. 2) including, but notlimited to, a flash or strobe light, a continuous light source,incandescent (tungsten) lights, fluorescent lights, halogen (or quartz)lights, and Hydrargyrum Medium Arc-length Iodide lights, HMI lights,xenon lights, krypton lamps, light-emitting diodes (LED) in any color,lasers and the like. Moreover, and as will be discussed more below,optical device 12, image receiving device 16 and/or light emittingdevice 18 can be multiple optical devices 12, multiple image receivingdevices 16 and/or multiple light emitting devices 18 (see FIGS. 4&5).

Sensor system 10 and/or optical device 12 includes memory or data store20, which can be an on board data store in device 12. However, datastore 20 can be any data storage device including, but not limited to,one or more of an internal hard drive, an external hard drive, a SolidState Drive (SSD), a Network Attached Storage (NAS), a USB drive, a USBthumb drive, a flash drive, an optical drive (CD/ DVD) and/or a cloudstorage arrangement, and/or the like. Moreover, data store 20 caninclude removable drives and/or internal drives and can be a part of anycomponent of system 10.

Data store 20 can also be in communication with a computing system 30.Computing system 30 can generate the strain and/or displacement resultsbased on data from optical device 12. Moreover, data store 20 caninclude a data store in the computing system and/or can includeoperating instructions for the system and/or components of the system.

Computing system 30 can be any control and/or analysis device configuredto operate system 10, collect data and/or analyze data and can include,but is not limited to, a computer system, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a hand held system, a wrist mounted system, a cloud based systemwherein the computer is a server somewhere offsite and/or the like. Inthat these types of systems are known in the art, details are notincluded in this application in the interest of brevity. Yet further,the computing system can be an onboard component of optical device 12, alocal system 30 in communication with the optical device and/or a remotesystem 40 that is at a location spaced from the work being performed. Ascan be appreciated, any remote location could be utilized including, butnot limited to, a system located at a location on the jobsite that isspaced from the actual testing area, a location away from the jobsiteand/or a central control facility that could be spaced in a differentgeographic region. Moreover, the computing system can be multiplecomputing systems and/or can include separate display devices.

Yet even further, optical device 12 can be a self-contained unit thatcan operate at least partially independently wherein optical device 12could even include some or all of computing system 30, and can eliminatethe need for onsite computing system 30 and/or merely need onsitecomputing system 30 to be a conduit to one or more offsite systems 40.For example, optic device 12 could be configured to transmit directly tooffsite location system 40, such as transmitting directly to a cloudcomputing location or system during the data collection and/ortransmission phases based on a direct connection such as by way of anytechnology, such as a cellular connection, between optical device 12 anda cellular service. Further, optical device 12 could include one or morescreens, displays and/or inputs 115 to allow it to act as a fullyfunctioning operating system. In other systems, the optical device caninclude the computing device and could include a display device,removable data store, communication system and/or other systems to allowcreation, display and/or transmission of data and/or results of theanalysis. The connection of the components of the system can be by anyarrangement known in the art including wired and wireless connections.

In one set of embodiments, optical device 12 is in direct communicationwith local computing system 30 by way of one or more wirelesscommunication systems 42. This direct connection can be in real timeand/or intermittent as is desired and/or required. In these embodiments,wireless communication system 42 is a wireless communication system thatincludes a first wireless antenna (internal and/or external) 44connected to optical unit 12 and a second wireless antenna (internaland/or external) 46 connected to local computing system 30. Theseantennas can utilize any technology known in the art and are preferablytransceivers that both send and receive data. Further, the antennatechnology can depend on the location of the computing system relativeto the optical system. In this respect, any communication system and/ortechnology could be used including all of the typical wireless RadioFrequency “RF” and/or optical communication links used by industry. RFlinks include, but are not limited to, BLUETOOTH®, ZigBee®, Wi-Fi,Universal Serial Bus and RS232 communication standards and/or systems.Optical communication links include, but are not limited to, Li-Fi, andthe like.

Wireless communication system 42 allows optical system 12 to communicatewith computing system 30 during a data collection phase and/or a datatransmission phase without the need for wires thereby furthersimplifying the setup of system 10, simplifying the operation of thesystem, but this is not required. As can be appreciated, a wired system48 could also be used for data communication and/or for a power supply.And, as is discussed above, optical system 12 could be in directcommunication with offsite system 40 wherein either antenna 44 and/or 46could communicate with offsite system 40 by way of antenna 50, which isillustrative only wherein any form of long distant electroniccommunication could be utilized. Again, the control, analysis and/ordisplay unit(s) can be internal within optical device 12, on-site 30and/or offsite 40 without detracting from the invention of thisapplication. This includes the units being located at or near thestructural object, at any location onsite, and/or at an offsite locationat a remote location wherein the work for one or more tests is analyzedby an engineer that is offsite. Yet further, the system can furtherinclude a separate offsite control and/or display unit(s) 40 that workswith onsite surface control and/or display unit(s) 30 or directly withoptical device 12. Again, any system of communication known in the artcan be used to communicate to, or from, the onsite and offsitelocation(s).

Again, optical device 12 can be a self contained system wherein it caninclude a self contained power supply 60 to provide electrical power tooperate internal data store(s) 20, computing system(s) 30, imagereceiving device(s) 16, light emitting devices 18 and/or othercomponents of device 12, which will be discussed in greater detailbelow. Moreover, power supply 60 can include multiple power suppliesand/or differing types of power supplies. For example only, opticaldevice 12 could include an internal power supply 60 a to provideelectrical power to operate internal systems data store(s) 20, computingsystem(s) 30 and/or image receiving device(s) 16 while using an externalpower supply 60 b for light emitting device(s) 18 and/or othercomponents. Power supply 60 can be any power supply known in the artincluding re-chargeable power systems, non-rechargeable battery systemsand/or an external generated power supply (60 b). Yet further, powersupply 60 can include the use of interchangeable and/or rechargeablebattery packs that allow for a longer operational life of the batterysystem. In that rechargeable and non-rechargeable battery systems andexternal generated power supplies are generally known, these will not bediscussed in greater detail in the interest of brevity.

Again, in that optical device 12 can be a self-contained unit, opticaldevice 12 can include computing system 30 and/or could even eliminatethe need for an onsite computing system and/or merely need onsitecomputing system 30 to be a conduit to one or more offsite systems 40.For example, optical device 12 could be configured to transmit directlyto offsite system 40, such as transmitting directly to a cloud computinglocation or system during the data collection and/or transmission phasesbased on a direct connection such as by way of a cellular connectionbetween head unit 30 and a cellular service.

Further, optical device 12 can include a wide range of configurationwithout detracting from the invention of this application. Fordiscussion only, wherein the following description is not intended tolimit the invention of this application, optical device 12 can includean outer enclosure 64 that is formed by one or more structuralcomponents. Moreover, outer enclosure 64 can be a watertight enclosureto allow system 10 to be used in the harsh outside environments wherestructural objects are installed. Optical device 12 can further includea wide range of support arrangements 66 that can support enclosure 64above ground layer G. In addition, support arrangement 66 can includeone or more features to both isolate optical device 12 from vibrationand allow the support to be adjustable such that optical device 12 canbe used on uneven ground, can be aligned with image arrangement(s) 14and/or can be in close proximity to structure SO during loading. In thisrespect, support arrangement 66 can include one or more adjusters 68 andone or more vibration isolation systems 69. Yet further, supportarrangement 66, image receiving device(s) 16, light emitting device(s)18 and/or optical device 12 can include one or more vertical adjustmentsystems 70 to allow image receiving device(s) 16, light emittingdevice(s) 18 and/or optical device 12 to be aligned with arrangement 14and/or move with arrangement(s) 14 to extend the range of the system.However, it should be noted that the term “vertical is being used inreference to the drawings only. Any type of vertical adjustment systemcould be used without detracting from the invention of this application.This can include, but is not limited to, adjustment system 70 that movesimage receiving device(s) 16, light emitting device(s) 18 camera 16and/or optical device 12 longitudinally and parallel to a structuralobject axis SA. Further, multiple arrangements 14 can be verticallyspaced along structural object to extend range to reduce the need foradjustment, which will be discussed more below.

According to yet another set of embodiments, optical device(s) 12, imagereceiving device(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 can include anadjustable support that can include any mechanism to allow the system tofollow image 14 and/or adjust the system relative to image 14. However,it must be noted that the mechanisms shown are examples only and do notlimit the invention. The adjustable supports include a pivotable support72 (FIGS. 3-5) and a linear motion support 72 a (FIG. 3D). And, thesesupports can be used to allow optical device(s) 12, image receivingdevice(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 to follow arrangement(s)14 during installation as image(s) 14 move downwardly, which can also beused to extend the range of the system. Pivotable support 72 can be anypivotable joint and can work with vertical adjustment system 70 orinstead of system 70. Pivotable support 72 can be fixed between opticaldevice(s) 12, image receiving device(s) 16 and/or light emittingdevice(s) 18 and support arrangement 66, adjusters 68, verticaladjustment system 70 and/or vibration isolation system 69 to provide thechanging angle of optical device(s) 12, image receiving device(s) 16and/or light emitting device(s) 18 about an optics axis 73. Optics axis73 is transverse to structural object axis SA, which can be a horizontalaxis for vertical support structures. In the embodiments shown, theoverall housing of optical device(s) 12, image receiving device(s) 16and/or light emitting device(s) 18 can be pivotably joined to support66, but this is not required. In this respect, the optical device(s) 12,image receiving device(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 couldinclude a pivotable lens, or the like, that could pivot instead of theoverall housing structure without detracting from the invention of thisapplication. When pivotable support 72 is used in system 10, the angleof the optical device(s) 12, image receiving device(s) 16 and/or lightemitting device(s) 18 can be detected, sensed and/or determined andutilized by computing systems 30 and/or 40 to calculate the effect ofthe angle on the images collected.

Again, computing systems 30 and/or 40 can be any control unit configuredto operate a system and/or collect data including, but not limited to, acomputer system, a laptop, a tablet, a smart phone, a hand held system,a wrist mounted system and/or the like. In that these types of systemsare known in the art, details are not included in this application inthe interest of brevity.

Moreover, computing system 30 can include an internal computing system30 within optical device 12 that can include memory or data store 20wherein data store 20 can include one or more operating instructions foroptical device 12 and/or computing systems 30 and/or 40 to control thedata collection phase, store the data collected during the datacollection phase and/or communicate the data during the datatransmission phase. In some embodiments, the memory for the data memoryis independent of the memory for the operating instructions.

Accordingly, system 10 can include one or more preprogrammed operationmodes configured to automatically perform one or more desired testingroutines and/or system adjustments. This can include the one or moreoperational steps for optical unit 12 during data collection. Further,this preprogramed operation could include automatic guidance of thesystem based on input from one or more of the sensors. One suchoperating instructions can include a selective data acquisition mode toreduce the size of the stored data. In this respect, optical device 12can include one or more high-speed and/or high-resolution imagereceiving devices 16. High-speed image receiving devices 16, such ashigh-speed cameras, can be part of enclosure 64, as is shown, and/or canbe a part of one or more stand alone units. As can be appreciated, ifmultiple high-speed image receiving devices 16 are used, they can havedifferent functions too.

High-speed image receiving devices are known in the art and will not bediscussed in greater detail herein in the interest of brevity. As isknown, a high-speed image receiving device, such as a high-speed camera,is a device capable of image exposures in excess of 1/1,000 seconds orframe rates in excess of 250 frames per second. This allows the imagereceiving device to record fast-moving objects as photographic imagesand to store this data onto a storage medium, such as memory 20. Inaddition, after recording, the stored images can be played back in slowmotion (manually or by way of the computing system), which can then beused by computing system 30 to measure strain and/or displacement, whichwill also be discussed more below. As is noted above, this can includethe computing system factoring in an image angle for when optical device12 and/or receiving device 16 is at an angle.

In that image receiving device 16 captures high definition images athigh frame rates, it produces a significant amount of data that needs tobe stored for data analysis; including strain and/or displacementanalysis. However, only the data associated with the testing proceduresand/or hammer blows of the installation operation is needed for dataanalysis. According, system 10 can further include an activation sensor74 that prompts the system to store data. Activation sensor 74 can use awide range of technology to determine the data needed for analysis. Asis shown in FIG. 1, sensor 74 could be attached relative to the objectbeing tested wherein vibration and/or movement could be used todetermine when data is needed or collected. As can be appreciated, when74 detects vibration or movement, it could provide the data needed tolet system 10 know when to store images. And, this can even include dataobtained before the vibration or movement is detected. In certainembodiments, this could be instructions to save data or images for afirst time period before the detection and a second time period afterthe detection wherein data can be collected during a set time and theset time can be a set time before and/or after activation. The set timecan be under 5 seconds. In another embodiment, the set time is under 3seconds. This could include saving data five seconds before and fiveseconds after any detected movement. In that sensor 74 is merely amovement detector, it can be quickly attached to structural object SOand it is not a sensitive piece of equipment. For example only, a strap75 could secure sensor 74 to structural object SO. However, in anotherset of embodiments, sensor 74 could be a sound sensor, or the like, thatcould be a part of optical device 12 and/or a stand alone sounddetection unit and/or vibration sensor (see FIG. 5) that detects thesound and/or vibration associated with the hammer blow and/or testing ofthe structural object. Thus, as with the rest of system 10, sensor 74also could be a non-contact component to prevent the need to attach anyequipment directly to the object being tested. If sensor 74 is a standalone unit, it could be in wired and/or wireless communication withoptical device 12, computing system 30 and/or computing system 40. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 & 5, sensor 74 includes an antenna 80that is in wireless communication with optical device 12 by way ofantenna 82; however, a wired connection could be used. These additionalsystems could greatly reduce the memory storage requirements in that thestored images would only be those relating to the hammer blow, loadapplication and/or test procedure. Moreover, the operations forselective data acquisition could be done automatically. As can beappreciated, this could also be done manually by way of only activatingsystem 10 during the actual test procedure.

As discussed above, system 10 includes one or more image arrangements 14that are fixed relative to structural object SO. These can be any imageson structural object 10 including, but not limited to, images printeddirectly on an outer surface OS of structural object SO, images fixedrelative to structural object SO, images formed in an outer surface OSof structural object SO. Moreover, the images can be marked by anymarking method. This can include, but is not limited to, painted images,printed images, images cast into the structural object, an object orimage cast onto the structural object, templates cast into thestructural object, stickers, labels, tape, adhesive sheets, marked orunmarked objects fixed to the structural object, and/or surface featureson the object itself and/or formed into the object itself. Essentially,any image can be used in connection with structural object SO withoutdetracting from the invention of this application wherein FIGS. 6A-6Fshow examples of such images; however, this should not be considered anexhaustive list. Further, the image arrangement could be a single imagearrangement or multiple image arrangements. In this respect, the imagearrangement 14 could be a single image arrangement marked on one side ofthe structural object and/or multiple image arrangements 14circumferentially spaced about the structural object. Yet further, theimages could be multiple images (or one long image) along the length oralong object axis SA of the structural object to allow testing throughsome or all of the installation process. Or, the image and/or thetesting could be focused on the final portion of the drive and/or caninclude testing after installation. However, as can be appreciated, theinvention of this application allows for the installer to easily andinexpensively test during any part of the installation phase and/orduring any part of testing phase. As is shown in FIGS. 6A-6F, the imagearrangements 14 includes one or more image elements 84 that can be inthe form of lines (horizontal and/or vertical), dots, graphs, bargraphs, dashes, bar codes grids, and/or could be a surface texture ortexturing in the material surface itself with no markings, like how anoptical mouse functions. The images shown in FIGS. 6A-6F show severalexamples of image arrangements 14. FIG. 6A shows an image arrangement 14having image elements 84 a and 84 b that are in the form of lines. FIG.6B shows an image arrangement 14 having image elements 84 a and 84 bthat are in the form of dashed lines. FIG. 6C shows an image arrangement14 having three image elements 84 a, 84 b and 84 c that are in the formof lines. FIG. 6D shows an image arrangement 14 having four plus signimage elements 84 a-84 d. FIG. 6E shows an image arrangement 14 similarto a barcode arrangement that includes a plurality of lines 84 and lineshaving different thicknesses. FIG. 6F shows an image arrangement 14having a cross hatch arrangement with four image elements 84 a-84 dwherein image elements 84 a and 84 c are vertical and image elements 84b and 84 d are horizontal. Again, this is intended to be examples onlywherein these examples are not an exhaustive list wherein a wide rangeof image and/or image elements could be used without detracting from theinvention of this application. Moreover a wide range of image transitionelements could be used when long images extend down the structuralobject, such as is shown in FIG. 6E. During operation, the imagearrangement(s) 14 that are monitored by system 10 are the images 14 thatare within a visual range 100 of the system. Images 14 outside visualrange 100 will not be monitored for movement until the movement of thestructural object and/or the system moves them into visual range 100and/or device 12 is adjusted to move them into the visual range.Referenced above are examples of the ways for optical device 12 to trackwith images 14 to allow the system to track the installation of thestructural object during a wider range of the installation, which willbe discussed more below. Visual range 100 is typically a function of afield of view 102 of the image receiving device and an optical spacing104 between images(s) 14 and image receiving device 16. According to oneset of embodiments, field of view 102 can be adjustable to allow imagereceiving device(s) 16 to limit the data to a desired set of images 14.Similarly, optical spacing 104 can also be adjusted and/or adjustablewherein different types of image receiving devices 16 can requiredifferent optical spacings for maximum accuracy and/or performance. Ascan be appreciated, inadvertently viewing multiple images could providefalse data; however, as will be discussed more below, images can beconfigured to reduce false data, such as with the use of transitionalimages. In embodiments that include light emitting device 18, the systemincludes a light spacing 106 between light emitting device 18 and imagearrangement 14, which will be discussed more below.

Image receiving device(s) 16 is configured to detect movement in imagearrangement(s) 14 and/or the image element(s) of image arrangement(s) 14during and/or after an event; such as during and/or after a hammer blow,and/or during and/or after a structural test, which will be discussedmore below. This observed movement is for movement of the entire imagearrangement 14 (displacement) and/or for relative movement of two ormore image elements within the image arrangement (strain). In thisrespect, the system can detect the spacing between two image elements inimage arrangement 14 and how these two image elements move or compressrelative to one another. These results of relative movement betweenmultiple image elements in image arrangements 14 can be used todetermine or calculate strain in the structural object at or near visualrange 100 while the movement of one image element of the imagearrangement 14 or the entire image arrangement could be used todetermine or calculate bearing capacity of the structural object and/orhammer performance.

Depending on the type of image receiving device 16 being used and/or thenatural light at the test site, one set of embodiments further includesone or more light emitting devices 18. As discussed above, lightemitting device 18 can produce the light for the image to be tested(FIG. 2) and/or can enhance natural light for low light conditions orcreate the needed light (FIG. 1). When light emitting device 18 is usedto produce the light for the image detection, light emitting device 18can include a laser or other light that is reflected off a surface ofthe structural object. The reflected light can be used to thereforedetect movement of the structural object. In these sets of embodiments,optical spacing 104 and light spacing 106 can be drastically reduced.With special reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown are systems 10 a and 10b, respectively. In greater detail, FIG. 2A shows a system 10 a thatincludes a single optical device and/or image receiving device 110 thathas a visual range 112 that covers image 14. Optical device and/or imagereceiving device 110 includes an image receiving device 16 and includeslight emitting device 18 wherein light emitting device 18 produces thelight for the image to be viewed by device 16 wherein a surface texturecould be used to detect movement of the image elements of image 14;however, this is not required. Even though device 110 has a much smalleroptical spacing 104 and light spacing 106, device 110 is still spacedfrom structural object SO and is a non-contact system. In theembodiments shown in FIG. 2A, device 110 is a single device thatincludes a visual range 112 that covers at least one image element ofimage 14. For all embodiments of this application, the optical deviceand/or image receiving device can include a visual display and/or dataentry arrangement 115. In the embodiment shown, display and/or entryunit can be used to align device 110 relative to image 14, enter data,enter commands, initiate testing, review data and/or review testresults, or the like. As is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, visual displayand/or data entry arrangement 115 can be attached to device 110.However, visual display and/or data entry arrangement 115 can also be anexternal unit as is shown in FIG. 1 and can be in wireless communicationand/or in wired communication with optical device 12 and/or imagereceiving device 16 or computer systems 30 and/or 40.

FIG. 2B shows a similar embodiment wherein light emitting device 18produces the light for the image to be viewed by device 16. In thisrespect, FIG. 2B shows an example of a system 10 b that includes twooptical devices and/or image receiving devices 110 a and 110 b that havevisual ranges 112 a and 112 b, respectively, that each cover a separateimage element of a common image 14 and/or two different image elements.The two image receiving devices 16 a and 16 b can be space from oneanother by a known spacing 114 wherein the images/data produced by thetwo optical devices can then be used to calculate both movement andstrain. Each optical device and/or image receiving device 110 a and 110b includes a light emitting device 18 a and 18 b, respectively. Again,each device can work in the same way as device 110 in FIG. 2A, but twounits are configured to work together and detect movement of two imageelements that can be from a single image 14. Then, the data of the twounits can be combined to determine and/or calculate the strain and/ordisplacement at single image 14. While not shown, a modified systemcould include a single light emitting device 18 with two or more opticaldevices and/or image receiving devices 110. In addition, the opticalspacing 104 and/or light spacing 106 of system 10 a can be greater thanoptical spacing 104 and light spacing 106 of system 10 b to allow forthe increased visual range 112 of system 10 a that views both imageelements of the image 14 in FIG. 2A.

With special reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, shown are one of the uses ofadjustable support arrangements to allow the system to follow image 14and/or adjust the system relative to image 14. FIGS. 3A-3C showpivotable mounts or support 72 for optical device 12 and/or imagereceiving device 16. In greater detail, FIGS. 3A-3C show a system 10 cthat includes a single optical and/or image receiving device 116 with avisual range 118. However, it is noted that more than one unit could beused wherein the example in these figures is not to be limiting towardthe invention of this application. As noted above, optical device(s) 12,image receiving device(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 caninclude a pivotable support 72 to allow optical device(s) 12, imagereceiving device(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 to followarrangement(s) 14 during installation as image(s) 14 move downwardly.Pivotable support 72 can be connected between support structure 66 anddevice 16. As is also discussed above, the pivotable device can bemanual and/or automatic wherein the system can include an angle sensor71 to detect the angle of optical device(s) 12, image receivingdevice(s) 16 and/or light emitting device(s) 18 and data from anglesensor 71 can be used to allow the system to allow for the automaticcontrol the test angle. This arrangement can be used to extend the rangeof the system and/or improve accuracy. These figures show the use ofpivotable support 72 to extend the range of the system wherein all ofthe figures show the same structural object SO and the same image 14,but show the image 14 as it moves downwardly during the installationprocess of structural object SO, such as during the hammering of astructural pile. And, while these figures show the pivotable arrangementin connection with the overall housing structure, any of the pivotablearrangement of this application could be utilized according to this setof embodiments.

FIG. 3A shows structural object SO and image 14 at a first point duringthe installation process. FIG. 3B shows structural object SO and image14 at a second point during the installation process. FIG. 3C showsstructural object SO and image 14 at a third point during theinstallation process. In FIG. 3A, optical and/or image receiving device116 is pivoted about optics axis 73 at an upward angle wherein visualrange 118 is above axis 73. In FIG. 3B, optical and/or image receivingdevice 116 is pivoted about optics axis 73 at about a 90 degree anglerelative to structural axis SA wherein visual range 118 is generally inalignment with axis 73. In FIG. 3C, optical and/or image receivingdevice 116 is pivoted about optics axis 73 at a downward angle whereinvisual range 118 is below axis 73. This pivotable arrangement can beused by the system to track with the image 14 as it moves downwardlyduring installation. Moreover, the pivotable arrangement can be used tobetter align optical and/or image receiving devices 116 with image 14regardless of the movement of image 14. In addition, image data and datafrom sensor 71 can be used to allow the system to automatically adjustthe optics angle and align optical and/or image receiving device 116with image 14. Moreover, after optical and/or image receiving device 116reaches the third point shown in FIG. 3C, the system can pivot opticaland/or image receiving device 116 about axis 73 to move from image 14 ato image 14 b in a new visual range 119. In addition, as discussedabove, the computer systems can be used to calculate the effect of theangle on the images collected and/or can control the pivot angle. Sensor71 can be used to allow the system to automatically make thiscalculation.

FIG. 3D shows yet another arrangement that operate like the arrangementshown in FIGS. 3A-3C. In this respect, shown in FIG. 3D is an adjustablesupport 72 a that is a linear arrangement to allow the system to followimage 14 and/or adjust the system relative to image 14. As with all ofthe adjustable supports, the support can be adjusted manually orautomatically and/or can be adjusted mechanically and/or electronicallywherein the adjustment could even be done at a remote location by theoperator and/or system at remote computer 40. Support 72 a is configuredto support optical device 12 and/or image receiving device 16. As isshown, support 72 a supports an optical device 12 that includes one ormore image receiving devices 16 and/or 16 a. In that alternative, device12 can support both image receiving devices 16 and one or more lightemitting devices 18. In greater detail, FIGS. 3A-3C show a system 10 cthat includes a single optical and/or image receiving device 116 with avisual range 118. Support 72 a is configured to move, linearly along asupport 66 a. As is shown, support 72 a and support 66 a can be a rackand pinion arrangement wherein support 66 a can include guide teeth 124and support 72 a can include gears 126.

With special reference to FIG. 3E, yet another embodiment of theinvention is shown wherein yet other technology can be used to supportone or more optical devices 12 and/or image receiving devices 16, andalign and/or move the system. This includes any technology currentlyknown and technology discovered in the future that can support andmaintain optical devices 12 and/or image receiving devices 16 relativeto the structural object. Moreover, devices that can both support andadjust optical devices 12 and/or image receiving devices 16 relative tothe structural object and/or relative to multiple structural objects atone time and/or in succession. In the example shown, one or moreunmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”) could be used to support one or moreoptical devices 12 and/or image receiving devices 16 during the testingof a structural object, move the one or more optical devices 12 and/orimage receiving devices 16 as the structural object moves, and even movethe optical devices 12 and/or image receiving devices 16 betweendifferent structural objects at the jobsite.

In greater detail, shown is a system 10 UAE that can include any of thefeatures and systems of the other embodiments of this application. Aswith other embodiments, some or all of the computing devices could beinternal and/or some or all of the computing systems can be externalwherein onsite computing system 30 can be utilized and can be speciallyadapted for UAE controls. Yet even further, the system can be wiredand/or wireless without detracting from the invention of thisapplication. In greater detail, system 10 UAE includes one or moreoptical devices 12 UAE. The optical devices include one or more imagereceiving devices 16. In the embodiment shown, the optical deviceincludes two image receiving devices 16 a and 16 b. The optical devicesfurther includes a frame structure 150 that supports image receivingdevices 16 a and 16 b and can maintain image receiving devices 16 a and16 b at a set spacing 152 wherein image receiving device 16 a can viewimage arrangement 14 a and image receiving devices 16 b can view imagearrangement 14 b . The optical devices can include the use of any UAVtechnology and can include a flight control package 153, an isolationstage 154 and/or a fine control or lock stability package 155. Moreover,the image receiving devices 16 a and 16 b can be shifted downwardlyrelative to flight control package 153 to improve the overall balance ofoptical devices 12 UAE wherein there can be image receiving devicesspacings 152 a and 152 b between image receiving devices 16 a and 16 b,respectively, and the flight control package 153 wherein spacing 152 bcan be greater than spacing 152 a. Image receiving devices spacings 152a and 152 b together are set spacing 152 for the image receivingdevices. While not required, optical devices 12 UAE could include awired connection 156 that can provide power to the optical device and/orprovide control and/or data collection communications.

Again, the UAV technology can be any UAV technology, any flight controltechnology and any stabilization technology. Accordingly, flight controlpackage 153 can have a wide range of configurations. These include, butare not limited to, a wide range of multirotor UAVs having any number ofrotors including, but not limited to, tricopters, quadcopters,hexacopters and octocopters (3, 4, 6 and 8-rotor helicopters,respectively)

It is also contemplated that the optical devices 12 UAE can havemultiple flight modes. Wherein the system can include a first flightmode wherein the optical device(s) is in a data collection mode and thesystem is set up to be stabilized and collect data as is describedthroughout this application. In addition, the optical device(s) can alsoinclude a second flight mode wherein the optical device(s) can movearound the jobsite and position itself for collecting data in relationto a different structural object. As is known in this industry, somejobsites can include many structural objects that are to be testedwherein the second flight mode can allow the optical device(s) to movebetween multiple structural objects to be tested. Moreover, the opticaldevice(s) can include a third flight mode to allow the optical device(s)to travel to the jobsite. This could be a simple movement from adelivery vehicle to the jobsite or even longer range movement of theoptical device(s) to and from jobsites. Yet even further, the opticaldevice(s) can be switched between manual modes wherein an operator canmanually operate the optical device(s), preferably in only the secondand/or third flight modes, but where the system takes over operation inthe first flight mode. In this respect, the optical device(s) could bemanually flown to the jobsite and/or between different structuralobjects at the jobsite and generally positioned at least near thestructural object to be tested. This could be performed by the moretraditional joy stick operation of UAV with the aid of one or moreflight cameras 158. In other embodiments, the optical device(s) could beautomatically moved into position by way of GPS data, onsitecoordinates, laser tracking systems, or the like. Then, once the opticaldevice(s) is in general position relative to the structural object to betested, the optical device(s) can be changed to the first flight modewherein isolation stage 154 and/or fine control stability package 155can work with flight control package 153 to create a stable platformmode (SPM) in first flight mode to allow data to be collected. The firstflight mode can also include the use of camera 158 and/or imagereceiving devices 16 a and 16 b to fine tune the alignment between theoptical device(s) and the image(s) to be detected and/or as structuralobject moves. In SPM mode, flight control package 153, vibration orisolation mounts or stage 154 and/or fine control stability package 155can work together and with the optical device(s) and/or camera 158 tostabilize the system and allow data to be collected. Yet even further,camera 158 and/or image receiving devices 16 a and 16 b can evenutilized one or more visual references 160 (FIG. 1) to create a fixedreference point to help allow the operate system to maintain thestabilized position and/or to account for any movement of the systemduring data acquisition. The visual reference can be physical and/orelectrical. While not shown, the image receiving device(s) could bemounted to frame 150 by a separate vibration or isolation mount(s) 154.

In SPM mode, the vertical and horizontal orientations of the opticaldevice(s) could be fixed and one or more distance measuring devices 159a and/or 159 b can be used to measure and/or help maintain measuringdistance 104. And, in SPM mode, the optical device(s) would lockdistance 104 along with locking other orientations of the system.Moreover, isolation mount(s) or stage(s) 154 can include motional slidesto aid in the “fine lock” to the pile.

Yet even further, while the optical device(s) is shown to be a singlesystem including two image receiving devices, the optical device(s)could include a separate optical device for each image receiving device.

According to yet other embodiments of the application, markingarrangement 14 can be used to extend the range of the system withoutadjustment. In this respect, image 14 can extend downwardly along alarge portion of the structural object, like a bar code, so that onceone set of lines exits the visual range another set of lines is withinthe visual range. Moreover, one line set to the next line set caninclude visual distinctions (again, like a barcode), to allow the systemto detect and account for the transition from one line set to the next.This can include different line types, such as is shown in FIG. 6E,different colors, the use of other transition symbols or images that canbe detected and interpreted by the system to account for the progressionof image 14 as it moves during installation, such as a transitionalimage to provide additional movement instructions to the system.

With special reference to FIGS. 4 & 5, system 10 can include more thanone optical device 12 and/or image receiving device 16 to furtherimprove the accuracies of the system and/or extend the range of thesystem. In this respect, as is shown in FIG. 4, system 10 could includeone or more optical devices and/or image receiving devices (or sets) ontwo sides of the structural object and this can include one or moreoptical devices and/or image receiving devices having any of thefeatures of this application. As is shown, system 10 d includes a firstset of optical devices/image receiving devices 170 on a first side S1 ofstructural object SO and a second set 172 on a second side S2 ofstructural object SO. The sets are being shown to describe the differenttypes of arrangements that could be used wherein any one or all of theshown optical device/image receiving devices within the sets could beused on one or both sides. In greater detail, set 170 includes anoptical device/image receiving device 180 that extends transverse tostructural axis SA and has a visual range 182 and an opticaldevice/image receiving device 190 that extends transverse to structuralaxis SA and has a visual range 192, which is below device/imagereceiving device 180 and visual range 182, respectively. Opticaldevices/image receiving devices 180 and 190 illustrate multipleembodiments. First, multiple devices that are vertically (or axially)spaced from one another can extend the range of the system. This can beused in addition to the other range extending arrangements of thisapplication (pivotable mount, linear mount) and/or in addition to theseother arrangements.

In addition, multiple receiving devices 180 and 190 can be used toimprove accuracy. In this respect, multiple receiving devices 180 and190 can be spaced from one another by a known image receiving spacing194. In this respect, each optical device/image receiving device 180/190can see or detect line or image movement of about 100 ppm (10 kpixels).This can be about 10,000 pixels over a visual range of about 10 cm,which equals about 1 μm per pixel. Movement of the image by 1 pixel is 1μm. If two receiving devices are utilized (180 and 190) at the top andthe bottom of the target image (spaced by distance 194), then 1 pixelchange in distance 194 over 10 cm equals about 100 microstrain (με),which is ε×10⁻⁶. If two multiple receiving devices (180 and 190) arespaced by distance 194, then the strain resolution over a surface can beincreased. If distance 194 equals 1 meter, and receiving device 180detects or sees one pixel of movement while receiving device 190 detectsor sees no movement, then there is one pixel movement of 1 μm over atotal of 1 meter. This results in a strain resolution of 1 μm/1 meter or1 microstrain (με), which is 100 times more accurate. Distance 194 canbe any spacing without detracting from the invention. As discussedabove, spacing can be 1 meter. In other embodiments, spacing 194 is lessthan 2 meters. In another set of embodiments, spacing is less than 1meter. In yet another, it is less than 0.5 meters. In a furtherembodiments, it is greater than 0.1 meters.

In yet other embodiments, multiple receiving devices can view the sameimage or image set. In this respect, the system can include an opticaldevice/image receiving device 200 that extends at a downward anglerelative to structural axis SA and has a visual range 202 and an opticaldevice/image receiving device 210 that extends at an upward anglerelative to structural axis SA and also has visual range 202 whereinboth optical device/image receiving devices 200 and 210 will analyze thesame visual range. Similarly, the optical spacing could be adjusted suchthat at least part of visual range 202 overlaps. This can be used forredundancy to ensure that data is accurately collect, to separately viewdifferent image elements in a single image as reference above, and/or toperform separate test function relating to the same image.

System 10 d further includes second set 172 that has an opticaldevice/image receiving device 220 that extends transverse to structuralaxis SA and has a visual range 222, an optical device/image receivingdevice 230 that extends transverse to structural axis SA and has avisual range 232, an optical device/image receiving device 240 thatextends at a downward angle relative to structural axis SA and has avisual range 242 and an optical device/image receiving device 250 thatextends at an upward angle relative to structural axis SA and also has avisual range 242 wherein both optical device/image receiving devices 240and 250 will analyze and obtain data from the same visual range.

Again, optical devices/image receiving devices 220 and 230 illustratehow multiple devices can extend range and improve accuracy by utilizingknown spacing 194 a as is discussed in greater detail above. Moreover,optical devices/image receiving devices 240 and 250 illustrate howmultiple devices can improve accuracy by adding redundancy to the datacollection. In addition, having devices on two sides of the structuralobject also increases accuracy and provides more data for the structuralanalysis. Moreover, by collecting data on both sides of the structuralobject, the system can be used simultaneously to determine whether oneside of the structural object is being strained more than the other sideand/or whether there is more movement on one side than the other side.As can be appreciated, this can be a sign of a bending in the structuralobject caused by a non-uniform hammer blow and/or a defect on one sideof the structural object. As noted above, once the applied load isconcluded, there can be a relaxing of the structural object and furthermovement of the image elements both overall and relative to one another.If the relaxing on one side remains unequal to the relaxing on the otherside, it could be a sign of localized damage to the structural object onone side of the object.

As can be appreciated, these two systems can be positioned on oppositesides of the structural object. In addition, the system can include morethan two optical device 12 and/or image receiving device 16 as is shown,but this is not required. Moreover, the system can include more than twosets, such as a system (not shown) that includes four units or setsgenerally each spaced circumferentially by 90 degrees about structuralaxis SA.

Similarly, and with reference to FIG. 5, the multiple optical devices 12and/or image receiving device 16 and/or sets could be used on a singleside of the structural object. Again, this can be used to extend therange of the overall system, add redundancy and/or improve accuracy.And, as with the embodiments discussed above, this can be used inaddition to, or in combination with, pivotal joints 72 and/or verticalextension arrangements 70 and/or 72 a discussed above. The embodiment inFIG. 5 shows a system 10 e that includes an optical device/imagereceiving device 260 that extends transverse to structural axis SA andhas a visual range 262, an optical device/image receiving device 270that extends transverse to structural axis SA and has a visual range272, an optical device/image receiving device 280 that extends at adownward angle relative to structural axis SA and has a visual range 282and an optical device/image receiving device 290 that extends at anupward angle relative to structural axis SA and also has a visual range282 wherein both optical device/image receiving devices 280 and 290 willanalyze and obtain data from the same visual range. Again, while thisfigure shows four devices, that is not required wherein more or lessthan four devices could be used without detracting from the inventionand wherein these are more illustrative of the types of arrangement thatare contemplated. Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 & 5 caninclude any feature and/or embodiment of this application withoutdetracting from the embodiments shown in these figures. Accordingly,these figures, and others, are intended to be illustrative and notlimiting to the invention of this application

Again, multiple optical devices 12 and/or image receiving device 16 canbe used to improve accuracy and/or range. These multiple units can besets and/or individual units and can include longitudinally or axiallyspaced units and/or pivotable units. Moreover, they can include unitsthat are axial displaceable to allow either easy manual axialdisplacement and/or automatic (computer controlled) displacement. Forrange, the two or more units can be axially spaced relative to objectaxis SA along a length of structural object SO to broaden the durationof the test without adjustment and/or improve accuracy. For thepivotable devices, the optical devices 12 and/or image receiving device16 can be manually and/or automatically pivoted to follow image 14. Or,a component of optical devices 12 and/or image receiving device 16 canbe manually and/or automatically pivoted or axially aligned to followimage 14. Again, this can be used to increase the duration in which oneof the images 14 can be used for the testing during installation. Whenpivoting is used, one or more of the computing systems can be used toadjust the data based on the angle of the pivoted optical devices 12and/or image receiving device 16.

Again, system 10 could be used during any part of the driving processfor a driven pile. This includes, but is not limited to, during entiredrive, the final drive portion and/or testing after driving during arestrike. As can be appreciated, if being used for the entire drive, theimages would need to be along a greater portion of the length of thestructural object being driven. For drilled and cast piles, it would belimited to testing after pouring and sufficient curing. Yet further, thesystem of this application could be quickly and easily used forstructural testing at a later date, after set up, to allow the soil toset up more about the structural object. And, this delayed testing canprovide better test results more indicative of actual load bearingcapacity.

The system works by analyzing the images obtained by image receivingdevice(s) 16 to track how the image elements of the image arrangement 14move, extend and/or compress relative to one another during the testand/or hammer blow and after the hammer blow. It has been found thatthis data can be used to calculate the strain in the structural object,the performance of the hammer blow and/or the load bearing capacity ofthe structural object.

With special reference to FIGS. 7-9, shown is visual ranges 100 a thatincludes image arrangement 14. In this respect, FIG. 7 shows an imagearrangement 14 a of image arrangement 14, which is shown before a hammerblow HB and/or applied load AL is applied to structural object SO. FIG.8 shows the same image arrangement during the hammer blow and/or appliedload against structural object SO (14 b). FIG. 9 shows the same imagearrangement after the hammer blow and/or applied load against structuralobject SO (14 c). The image arrangement in all of these figures includesa first image element 120, which is a horizontal line and a second imageelement 122, which is also a horizontal line wherein image element 120is longitudinally spaced from image element 122 and above image element122 along structural axis SA. Again, any type of image element could beused wherein this is an example only. First and second image elements120 and 122 are spaced by an image spacing 130. First image element 120is at a location 140 on structural object SO and second image element122 is at a second location 142 on structural object SO. Opticaldevice(s) 12 and/or image receiving device(s) 16 record the specificlocations of image elements 120 and 122 during the hammer blow processand/or applied load and can be utilized to determine how the imageelements move relative to one another and move overall. And, as isdiscussed in greater detail above, a single device can monitor bothimage elements 120 and 122 and/or separate and spaced optical device(s)12 and/or image receiving device(s) 16 can each measure a separate imageelement wherein spacing 194 would be generally equal to image spacing130

In greater detail, and with respect to a hammer blow for a driven pile,FIG. 7 shows image 14 a before hammer blow HB and the location andrelative position of image elements 120 a and 122 a before the hammerblow. Then, when a driven pile is hit by a pile driving hammer (notshown), the entire pile will move downwardly into ground layer G (notshown in these figures) and FIG. 8 shows image elements 120 and 122 inpositions 120 b and 122 b during hammer blow HB. Image elements 120 and122 have moved together from locations 140 a and 142 a to locations 140b and 142 b. In addition, image element 120 can move relative to imageelement 122 wherein image spacing 130 b can be less than 130 a and/orgreater during a portion of the duration of the hammer blow. In thisrespect, these figures show image 14 at a given time or instant duringthe hammer blow and is intended to show a maximum movement during thehammer blow. However, there will be movement of the pile and the imageelements over a given period of time wherein during this duration oftime image spacing 130 can change wherein during a first portion of theduration, image spacing 130 b may be less than image spacing 130 a andduring a second portion of the duration image spacing 130 b may begreater than 130 a. The maximum change in spacing between image spacing130 a and spacing 130 b can be used to calculate the maximum strain inthe pile during the hammer blow. The changes of spacing during theentire duration of the hammer blow can also provide data on the effectsor efficiency of the hammer blow on the structural object. During eachof these data samples of the hammer blow, optical device 12 and/or imagereceiving device 16 can take at least around 250 frames or samples persecond, which allows the system to show detailed movement of imageelements 120 and 122 during the entire duration of the hammer blowprocess. This detailed data can also be compared to the change inlocation for positions 140 a and 142 a to positions 140 b and 142 b,respectively. Movement of any one image element during hammer blow HBduring the duration of time can determine the displacement of thestructural object as a function of time, and by differentiation thevelocity versus time. The velocity and strain versus time can be used todetermine the capacity of the structural object and hammer performance.Once hammer blow HB is completed, there will be a relaxing of the pileand further movement of the image elements overall and/or relative toone another. At the conclusion of hammer blow HB and the relaxing of thepile, if image spacing 130 c remains the same as image spacing 130 a,there has been no permanent damage to the pile. However, if there is nota return to the original spacing (130 a), there could be a certainamount of structural damage. Further, the overall change in thelocations for 140 c and 142 c from 140 a and 142 a can help determinehammer performance and/or bearing capacity. Yet further, this change canalso provide information on the “set per blow” which is further usefulto determine driving criteria.

Similarly, the same test can be done on other structural objects afterthe installation of the structural object to, for example only, test thestructural object after completion and/or determine bearing capacity ofthe structural object. In this respect, and with reference to FIGS. 7-9,FIG. 7 shows image 14 a before an applied load AL and the location andrelative position of image elements 120 a and 122 a before applied loadAL is applied against structural object SO. The applied load can be anyapplied load known in the art including, but not limited to, impactloads, static loads and/or dynamic loads. In these figures, applied loadAL is being applied downwardly, but this is not required. Applied loadAL is then applied to structural object SO and this applied load cancreate movement in the structural object and/or strain within thestructural object. For movement, it would be downwardly in this examplesince applied load AL is a downward load. Thus, structural object SO isurged downwardly with reference to these figures and for illustrativepurposes only. FIG. 8 shows image elements 120 and 122 in positions 120b and 122 b during the application of the applied load. Again, theapplied load creates movement, or can create movement, over a durationof time. And the load can be provided over a duration of time whereinFIG. 8 merely shows the position of image elements 120 and 122 (and themovement thereof) at a given point in time within the duration and notnecessarily for the entire duration of the applied load. As with theexample above, this can be the maxim movement during the durationwherein there can be a compression of the structural object and then asubsequent relaxing of the structural object with movement of the imageelements during this entire process. FIG. 8 shows, at the given time,the image elements have moved from locations 140 a and 142 a tolocations 140 b and 142 b. In addition, image element 120 can moverelative to image element 122 wherein image spacing 130 b can be unequalto 130 a wherein, for example only, image spacing 130 b can be less thanimage spacing 130 a during a first time interval and can be greater thanimage spacing 130 during a second time interval. The changes in imagespacing between image spacing 130 a and image spacing 130 b can be usedto calculate the strain in the structural object during the applicationof the load. During each of these data samples of the application of theapplied load, optical device 12 and/or image receiving device 16 cantake a high number of frames or samples per second, which allows thesystem to show detailed movement of image elements 120 and 122 duringthe entire duration of the load application. And, this detailed data canalso be compared to any changes in location for positions 140 and 142.Movement of any one image element during the application of the load candetermine the bearing capacity the structural object as a function oftime, and by differentiation the velocity versus time. The velocity andstrain versus time can be used to determine the capacity of thestructural object and other parameters relating to the structuralobject. Once the applied load is removed, there will be a relaxing ofthe structural object and further movement of the image elements bothoverall and relative to one another, which was mentioned above withreference to the second time interval. At the conclusion of the appliedload, if image spacing 130 c remains the same as image spacing 130 a,there has been no permanent damage to the structural object. However, ifimage spacing 130 does not return to the original spacing 130 a, therecould be a certain amount of structural damage. Further, the overallchange in the locations for 140 c and 142 c from 140 a and 142 a canhelp determine bearing capacity. Thus, the system can be used to monitorthe strain in the pile, the bearing capacity of the pile and/or thehammer performance.

With special reference to FIGS. 10-12, shown is the same type of imagearrangements 14 as discussed above. However, these figures show the useof the system of this application on two or more sides of the structuralobject wherein, as discussed above, the system can include imagemonitoring on both sides simultaneously. In this respect, FIG. 10 showsimage arrangement 14 d, which is again before a hammer blow or appliedload against structural object SO. And, FIG. 10 can be representative oftwo identical images on both first side S1 and second side S2 ofstructural object SO. FIG. 11 shows the image arrangement during hammerblow HB or application load AL against structural object SO (14 e) onfirst side S1 at a given time. FIG. 12 shows the image arrangementduring the hammer blow or applied load against structural object SO (14f) on second side S2 at the same given time. Again, there can bemovement over time when the load is applied (hammer blow HB or appliedload AL) wherein FIGS. 11 & 12 merely shows the movements of imageelements 120 and 122 at the given point in time and not necessarily forthe entire duration of the applied load. Further, the image arrangementsinclude first image element 120 and second image element 122 whereinimage element 120 is longitudinally spaced from image element 122 andabove image element 122 along structural axis SA. Again, any imageelement could be used. First and second image elements 120 and 122 arespaced by an image spacing 130. First image element 120 is at a location140 on structural object SO and second image element 122 is at a secondlocation 142 on structural object SO. While these locations could beidentical for both sides, this is not required. Optical device 12 and/orimage receiving device 16 could include a first and a second devicelocated on both first side S1 and second side S2 as is discussed ingreater detail above. System 10 could include multiple image receivingdevices 16 on either side and/or could include two independent opticaldevices 12 on either side, which is discussed above in greater detail.Again, these devices record the specific locations of lines 120 and 122during the load application process and they can be utilized todetermine how the lines move relative to one another and move overall.

In greater detail, when the load is applied to the structural object,the entire structural object can move downwardly into ground layer G.Thus, image elements 120 and 122 will move together from locations 140 dand 142 d to positions 140 e and 142 e/140 f and 142 f, respectively. Inaddition, image element 120 can move relative to image element 122wherein image spacing 130 e and/or 130 f can be unequal to image spacing130 d. The change in spacing between known image spacing 130 d and imagespacing 130 e and the change in spacing between image spacing 130 d andimage spacing 130 f can be used to calculate the strain in thestructural object during the application of the load. Again, by havingimage readings on both sides, system 10 can determined if there is anincreased amount of strain in one side of the structural object. In thisrespect, image spacing 130 e and 130 f should be equal if the strain onboth sides is equal. But, if image spacing 130 e is unequal to imagespacing 130 f, this is an indication that the strain on one side of thestructural object is unequal to the strain on the other side. As can beappreciated, this can be a sign of a bending in the structural objectcaused by a non-uniform hammer blow and/or a defect on one side of thestructural object. As noted above, once the applied load is concluded,there can be a relaxing of the structural object and further movement ofthe image elements both overall and relative to one another. If imagespacing 130 e remains unequal to image spacing 130 f, it could be a signof localized damage to the structural object on one side of the object.

According to yet other embodiments of the invention, system 10 couldfurther include one or more visual references 160 (FIG. 1) near imagearrangements 14. The visual references can be utilized to provide areference point for the images being viewed. This can be important tomake sure there is no optical device or camera movement and/or to allowoptical device 12 and/or image receiving device 16 to be re-positionedif needed for any reason. The reference point can be some form of image(physical and/or electrical) that is stationary wherein the image doesnot move with image 14 and/or the structural object being tested. Thus,it can be used as a point of reference to further improve the accuraciesof the system.

The system of this application has a wide range of applications whereinit can provide real time capacity determination, as well asdetermination of dynamic stresses at various locations in the structuralobject SO, evaluation of structural integrity, and investigation ofhammer performance through the determination of energy transferred intothe structural object SO. Moreover, these capacity determinations can bedone quickly with minimal set up time and costs.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodimentsof the invention illustrated and described herein, it will beappreciated that other embodiments, and equivalences thereof, can bemade and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodimentswithout departing from the principles of the invention. Furthermore, theembodiments described above can be combined to form yet otherembodiments of the invention of this application. Accordingly, it is tobe distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as alimitation.

It is claimed:
 1. A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurementsystem for use with structural objects, such as load bearing structuralobjects, the non-contact strain measurement system comprising an opticaldevice, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative toan associated structural object, the optical device including an imagereceiving device for receiving visual images and the data store beingconfigured to record the received visual images, the image receivingdevice being spaced from the associated structural object, the imagereceiving device being spaced from the image arrangement fixed relativeto the associated structural object by an optical spacing such that theimage receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of theassociated structural object and the image arrangement being within theportion, the image arrangement having at least one image element, the atleast one image element of the image arrangement moving with theassociated structural object when an associated applied force isdirected against the associated structural object and the associatedapplied force produces an object movement in the associated structuralobject along the associated structural axis during a measurement period,the image receiving device receiving the visual images of movements ofthe at least one image element and the data store recording the visualimages of the movements of the first and second image elements duringthe measurement period, the movements of the first and second imageelements providing image data to calculate at least one of a structuralobject strain in the associated structural object and a displacement ofthe associated structural object during the measurement period.
 2. Thenon-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 1wherein the at least one image element includes a first image elementand a second image element wherein the first image element is axiallyspaced from the second image element relative to the associatedstructural axis of the associated structural object by an image spacing,the first and second image elements of the image arrangement moving withthe associated structural object when the associated applied force isdirected against the associated structural object and the associatedapplied force produces the object movement in the associated structuralobject along the associated structural axis during the measurementperiod, the image receiving device receiving the visual images ofmovements of the first and second image elements and the data storerecording the visual images of the movements of the first and secondimage elements during the measurement period, the movements of the firstand second image elements providing image data to calculate the at leastone of the structural object strain in the associated structural objectand the displacement of the associated structural object during themeasurement period.
 3. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 2 wherein the image receiving device forreceiving visual images is a first image receiving device, the systemfurther including a second image receiving device, the first and secondimage receiving devices being spaced from one another by an imagereceiving spacing, wherein the visual range includes a first visualrange and a second visual range, the first image receiving device havingthe first visual range and the second image receiving device having thesecond visual range, the first image element being in the first visualrange and being spaced from the second visual range and the second imageelement being in the second visual range and being spaced from the firstvisual range.
 4. The non-contact strain and/or displacement measurementsystem of claim 1 further including a computing device, the computingdevice configured to receive the image data and to calculate the atleast one of a structural object strain in the associated structuralobject and the displacement of the associated structural object duringthe measurement period.
 5. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 2 wherein the first and second imageelements are in the form of at least one of lines transverse to theassociated structural axis, lines parallel to the structural axis, dots,graphs, bar codes, grids, dashes and surface texturing.
 6. Thenon-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 1further including an activation sensor to produce a selective dataacquisition mode to reduce a file size of the image data, the activationsensor configured to detect the associated applied force and provide anactivation signal to initiate the measurement period.
 7. The non-contactstrain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 6 wherein themeasurement period includes a set time at least one of before and afterthe activation signal.
 8. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 6 wherein the activation sensor is fixedrelative to the associate structural object and the activation signal isproduced when the activation sensor detects movement in the associatedstructural object.
 9. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 6 wherein the activation sensor is spacedfrom the associate structural object and the activation signal isproduced when the activation sensor detects sound waves from theapplication of the associated applied force.
 10. The non-contact strainand/or displacement measurement system of claim 6 wherein the opticaldevice includes the activation sensor.
 11. The non-contact strain and/ordisplacement measurement system of claim 1 wherein the image receivingdevice includes at least one of a high speed camera and a line camera.12. The non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system ofclaim 1 wherein the system further includes a light emitting device. 13.The non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 1wherein the light emitting device at least partially produces the visualimages received by the image receiving device.
 14. The non-contactstrain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 1 wherein theimage receiving device is a first image receiving device and the systemfurther including a second image receiving device.
 15. The non-contactstrain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 14 wherein thevisual range is a first visual range and the first image receivingdevice having the first visual range, the second receiving device havinga second visual range.
 16. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 15 wherein the first and second visualranges are axially spaced from one another.
 17. The non-contact strainand/or displacement measurement system of claim 15 wherein the at leastone image element includes a first image element and a second imageelement, the first image element being in the first visual range, thesecond image element being in the second visual range
 18. Thenon-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 16wherein the first image element and the second image element are axiallyspaced from one another by an image spacing and the first and secondimage receiving devices are space from one another by an image receivingdevice spacing, the image receiving device spacing being generally equalto the image spacing.
 19. The non-contact strain and/or displacementmeasurement system of claim 1 further including an optical support tosupport and secure the optical device, the system further including atleast one of a pivot joint and a linear motion support allowing relativeaxial movement of the visual range relative to the associate structuralobject.
 20. The non-contact strain and/or displacement measurementsystem of claim 18 wherein the optical device includes a sensor todetect the relative axial movement of the visual range.
 21. Thenon-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system of claim 1further including an optical support to support and secure the opticaldevice and the optical support including a UAV, the UAV including aflight control package, at least one isolation stage and a stabilitypackage.